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The Australian-born, London-based Central Saint Martins College of Art graduate will work with Jack Wills on a part-time basis. Revered for his sleek, wearable and often masculine aesthetic, his first collection will launch for spring 2015.

She added: "His collections have global appeal, but he is a British designer at heart and will lead the creative direction of our brand into its next important phase. His aesthetic and talent in designing for both men and women will be a great match for our future."

Jack Wills, which was founded in 1999 in Salcombe, Devon, is a global success story with 80 stores around the world. Marketing itself as 'University Outfitters', the brand's preppy, quintessentially British style has made it a favourite with style-conscious students.

In 2012 the brand axed its grown-up sister label, Aubin & Wills, in order to focus on pushing the Jack Wills brand.

Nicoll launched his eponymous womenswear label in 2006 after consulting for Marc Jacobs at Louis Vuitton. He branched out into menswear in 2012 and has twice been shortlisted for the BFC/Vogue Designer Fashion Fund.

Kylie Minogue, Keira Knightley and Laura Carmichael have worn his creations on the red carpet and he is a London Fashion Week fixture - which perhaps makes the appointment all the more surprising.

"I'm excited to be working with Jack Wills, this is an opportunity to take a successful British design aesthetic and drive forward the product and vision," said Nicoll. "Wendy has exciting plans to evolve the Jack Wills brand and I am looking forward to being a part of that."

The designer has previously collaborated with Topshop and Fred Perry to create one-off capsule collections.